Buckingham said he "remains deeply surprised and saddened" over his exit

Lindsey Buckingham has begun legal proceedings against Fleetwood Mac after being fired from the band earlier this year.

The guitarist was removed from the group just days after they were honoured at April’s MusiCares benefit concert in New York City. Buckingham offered his take on his firing this week in an interview with Rolling Stone, claiming that he was told by the band’s manager Irving Azoff that Stevie Nicks “never wants to be on a stage with you again.”

Us Weekly reports that Buckingham’s manager informed the musician that Fleetwood Mac “would proceed with its upcoming and already organised 2018 to 2019 concert tour without him”, and that “not a single member of the band” had spoken to him directly about the decision.

Buckingham has now decided to sue his former bandmates for “fiduciary duty, breach of oral contract and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage,” according to Rolling Stone.

Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham

In his suit, Buckingham admits that he initially asked Fleetwood Mac to consider pushing back their current tour so that he could promote his upcoming solo album. When they allegedly declined, Buckingham claims that he then agreed to delay the release of his album. He was later told by his manager that he would not be joining the tour as his Fleetwood Mac bandmates “suddenly cut [him] off entirely.”

In a statement, Buckingham elaborated on the reasons behind his decision to now take legal action. “Last January, Fleetwood Mac made the decision to continue to tour without me. I remain deeply surprised and saddened, as this decision ends the beautiful 43-year legacy we built together.

“Over the last eight months, our many efforts to come to an agreement have unfortunately proved elusive. I’m looking forward to closure, and will always remain proud of all that we created, and what that legacy represents.”

A response was swiftly issued by Fleetwood Mac’s representatives. “It’s impossible for the band to offer comment on a legal complaint they have not seen,” the statement reads. “It’s fairly standard legal procedure to service the complaint to the parties involved, something that neither Mr. Buckingham nor his legal counsel have done. Which makes one wonder what the true motivations are when servicing press first with a legal complaint before the parties in disputes.”

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and Crowded House frontman Neil Finn have joined the band following Buckingham’s departure. Fleetwood Mac debuted their new-look line-up on Ellen last month.